Fluid-deflecting cap remover

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a safety device for the removal of caps from radiators and the like, and provided mechanism for the remote manipulation of a cap for its removal and which incorporates a deflection shield that turns any dangerous flow of fluid in harmless directions, whereby a person can safely open a radiator even when under abnormal pressures that would present dangerous conditions.

O United States Patent [15] 3,638,5 1 5 Lentz et al. 51 Feb. 1, 1972[54] FLUlD-DEFLECTING CAP REMOVER 3,014,389 12/1961 O'Hara ..81/90 (72]lnventors: Albert P. Lentz, 9125 Borson St., Downey, Primary Examiner'rheron 5 Condo Calif- 90242; Danny 1:001, 6512 Rhaeton AssistantExaminer-Roscoe V. Park, Jr Ave., Pico Rivera, Calif. 90660 mmmeywi||iam Maxwell 22 F1 d: A 22 1969 l 1 57 ABSTRACT [2]] Appl' 852327This invention relates to a safety device for the removal of caps fromradiators and the like, and provided mechanism for [52 us. Cl. ..8l/3.1R, 81/90 B the g W Q Z EP for its f and i si |nt.Cl. ..B67h 7/44, BZSb29/00 F 9 fluid in harmless directions, whereby a person can safely open[58] Held ("Search ..8l/3.l,90, 3, 3.34, 125, 177 a radiator even whenunder abnormal pressures hm would present dangerous conditions. [56]References Cited 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS2,107,834 2/1938 Phillips ..8l/l77 X FLUID-DEFLECTING CAP REMOVER Thisis a refiling of abandoned application Ser. No. 683,852 filed Nov. 17.1967.

A best example of a condition or situation where this fluiddeflectingcap remover has extensive application is that of the automobile with anoverheated engine. Therefore, we will describe our invention as it isapplied to such a situation, where the automobile is probablyoverheated, but wherein the extent thereof is unknown to the person whois required to service the same by making an inspection as to the levelof liquid in the radiator. Said inspection requires the removal of theradiator cap which at best is under some pressure in the modernautomobile, and which may be unknowingly under excessive pressure. It iswell known that hot water and steam are extremely dangerous as theyemanate from an overheated radiator, and the cap mechanism whichnormally captures itself in a loose position is in many cases faulty.Consequently, it is not uncommon for service personnel to be scalded byhot water and/or steam uncontrollably emitted from overheated radiatorsof automobiles. Therefore, the fluid-deflecting cap remover of thepresent invention is highly utilitarian in its provision for remotemanipulation of a radiator cap in effecting its removal from anoverheated radiator and in its provision for the harmless effect ofredirected fluids of dangerous character.

It is an object of this invention to provide a safety device thatenables a person to manipulate a cap for its removal and from a remoteposition, isolated by distance and eliminating thermal conductivity fromextreme temperature parts to which the cap is normally attached. Withthe present invention the device enables coupled engagementsubstantially the same as in direct manual engagement, said coupledengagement being remote and through a heat-insulating element.

, It is another object of this invention to provide a device thatenables a person to remove a cap from its normal position on a relatedstructure, such as on a radiator which has reached abnormal temperatureand corresponding abnormal pressure and without danger or risk to theperson. With the present invention the device enables manipulatedremoval of a cap, during which any pressured fluid, for example in theform of water or steam, is redirected and/or deflected laterally anddownwardly and away from the person.

It is still another object of this invention to provide afluiddeflecting cap remover that is versatile in its applicability tovarious radiator installations. That is, the instant device hasflexibility in its application to various radiators and other closelysurrounding equipment.

The various objects and features of this invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of the typicalpreferred form and application thereof, throughout which descriptionreference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automotive engine compartment havinga radiator and cap, showing the application of the device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed elevation of the device as it is appliedto the radiator cap of the vehicle as indicated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on FIG. 2.

And, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on FIG.2.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the fluid-deflecting cap remover Ais positioned over the radiator R of the vehicle V and coaxially relatedto the cap C. This illustration shows the radiator cap C in full view,the fluid deflecting cap remover A being removed sufficiently axiallyfor this purpose, and the manipulating hands of the servicing personremoved in order to fully to fully expose the device hereinabovedisclosed. In FIG. 2 the mated engagement of the fluid deflecting capremover A is shown with the's'rvicing person's hands manipulating thesame, to hold the device and for rotation of the device to remove thecap C from the radiator R, partially or completely.

The fluid-deflecting cap remover A is primarily a safety device, havingthe welfare of the service personnel as its primary objective, andinvolves, generally, a body B, an operator 0, a coupler K and adeflector D. The body B carries the elements 0, K and D in the usefulcombination, wherein the operator 0 is'manipulated to engage and revolvea cap C, and I wherein the deflector D is simultaneously disposed inproper relation to the cap C and radiator R so as to redirect anyexplosion of fluids emanating from the said radiator.

The radiator R is shown in its usual form and location within the enginecompartment of a vehicle V. The radiator is transversely and verticallydisposed as related to the vehicle and has a top shell 10 from which acap fitting 11 projects. It is to be understood that fitting 11 canproject from a separate tank or any such vessel which might be underpressure, positive or negative. In any case, the fitting can vary indetail of construction depending upon the particular cap engagementdesired. In the case illustrated, the fitting 11 has a rim with adepending flange having suitably shaped cam faces that engage withintumed ears on the cap C, in order to pull the cap C tightly onto therim of the fitting 11, and alternately to release said tightnesspartially and/or completely as may be required. Suitable stops andstepped arrangements are provided, and all to the end that rotation bymanipulation effecting the cap C results in installation and/or removalof the cap, as desired. Such a cap is indicated but not shown in detail,inasmuch as the cap C per se and fitting 11 do not form part of thisinvention.

The body B and operator 0 are the two parts that are engageable by theservicing person, and the coupler K is the one part that is engageablewith the radiator cap C. In carrying out this invention the two parts Band O are fabricated of nonheat-conductive material, preferably a moldedplastic with selected structural properties. Accordingly, the body B anddeflection D are fabricated of a flexible material, while the operator 0and coupler K are fabricated of a stiff material. Such materials are,for example, flexible polyurethane for elements B and D, andglass-filled nylon or polyamide for elements 0 and K, each havingproperties which include high suitable strength factors, toughness andhigh resistance to: environmental elements and conditions to beexpected. The part K can also be of the same stiff plastic material asthe operator 0, or it may be of a metal if so desired. The device isshown as made entirely of plastic parts, whereby there is virtually noheat absorption into the device upon contact with other heated elements,and consequently there will be no retained heat that would harm apersons hand, or any other part touching the device.

The body B provides the carriage or frame of the device and whichthereby cooperatively relates the elements D, K and 0. Since theoperator 0 is the principal manipulatable element, is is the body Bwhich movably carries the operator so that it is manually engageable andengageable with the radiator cap C. Accordingly, the deflector D iscarried in a predetermined position as related to engagement of thedevice with the radiator cap, and the deflector D is fixed to the bodyB, preferably molded integrally therewith. Therefore, thefluid-deflecting cap remover A is related to an operational axis a whichis coincidental with the inlet and/or discharge axis of the radiator Rand consequent rotational axis of the cap C. Axis a is normally avertically disposed axis, as shown, and the manipulation of the cap Cinvolves revolvement of the cap about said axis, followed by applicationor removal thereof along said axis. In accordance with the invention,the body B is elongated axially and is comprised of a bearing 15surrounded by an insulating sleeve 16. An annulus 17 separates thebearing 15 and sleeve 16, the two parts being joined atone end by a base18.

The deflector D is a baffle of curvilinear form, so as to have directivecapabilities upon moving fluids, both liquids and gases. In practice,the discharge of fluids under pressure from the radiator R willnecessarily emanate from the tubular fitting l1 and along the axis a,dispersing somewhat as it moves upwardly and away from the radiator andopened fitting. It is to be understood that the presence of a partiallyremoved cap C will increase the dispersion of fluids, in omni lateraldirections as related to axis a. In accordance with this invention, thedeflector D overlies the area of the fitting 11 and radiator cap C, anddepends at least at one side of the device so as to shade the servicingperson from the lateral dispersion of hot fluids. Specifically, it isthe front side of the device at which the deflector D depends, so as toshield off any forward projection of fluids. In its preferred'form thedeflector D is a semicylindrical imperforate all 19 integral with thebase 18 of body B, where it is tangentially normal to axis a, and whichextends forwardly and downwardly in an arcuate curve to its lowerextremity where it is stiffened by an inwardly turned bulbous lip. Inorder to reinforce the wall 19, so as to ensure the upper portionretaining its semicylindrical curvilinear form, diametrically disposedribs 20 depend at the opposite ends, as shown, and which have directivecapabilities to turn moving fluids downwardly.

The operator is the manually actuable element to be engaged by theservicing person and thereby manipulated into depressing engagement withthe radiator cap C. In accordance with the invention, the operator 0involves a shaft 21 journaled in the bearing and free to rotate andreciprocate therein..Shaft 21 is substantially longer than the body 15so as to permit a wide range of adjustability for proximately locatingthe shield of deflector D effectively close to the cap C. That is, saidreciprocation feature provides for the accommodation of the device to awide range of radiator installation variations. At the upper and exposedend of the shaft 21 there is a handle 22, for example of T-shape andwhich adapts the shaft 21 to revolvement by manipulation through aperson's hand, all to the end of revolving and holding the radiator capC down and in position over the fitting 1 1.

The coupler K is fixedly adapted to the shaft 21, at its lowerextremity, and is primarily a key attached to universally engage withradiator caps C varying in size. As shown, the shaft 21 is sectional,being pressed together of two telescopically related sections which canbe keyed and snapped together (not shown) according to common practice.As a matter of practicality, caps C of the type under consideration areof standardized configuration; and it is a simple matter to fashion aspanner 23 with spaced depending lugs 24 that will engage withdiametrically opposite projections or enlargements on the caps C ofvarious sizes within a predetermined range. In practice, the spanner 23is diametrically disposed and is provided with normally relatedstabilizing cars 25 that engage flatly with the top of caps C. Further,the lugs 24 are somewhat divergent and thereby accommodate variations indiameter of the caps to be encountered.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that we have provided a practicaland highly utilitarian safety device, the operation of which will beobvious to those skilled in the art, and which is readily used in aproper manner so as to effectively prevent injury or harm which mightotherwise be caused by the uncontrollable discharge of hot fluids fromoverheated radiators and the like. As shown, the body B is gripped inone hand and manipulated into a most advantageous position, takingadvantage of the flexibility in deflector D to adapt to any interferingsurrounding structure. And, when there is a properly accommodatedposition the operator 0 is manipulated as hereinabove described andshown.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of ourinvention, we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves anymodifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A fluid-deflecting cap remover having an operating axis to bedisposed coincidental with the axis of the caps of radiators and thelike, and comprising, a manually positionable handle-shaped body, afluid deflector of curvilinear semicylindrical configuration fixedlycarried by and at the lower end of the body and having a top sectiontangentially normal to and overlying the operational ax1s of the bodyand extending laterally to one side of the body and having one sidesection depending below the body from the lateral extremity of the topsection to shield lateral projection of fluids dispersed along andlaterally from the axis of the cap, an operator extended through thebody and rotatably movable in a bearing therein and with a manuallyengageable handle fixed thereon above the deflector, and a cap couplerfixed to the operator beneath the deflector and manipulatable with theoperator to remove the cap by movement of the same rotatably about andalong said operating axis and into aligned turning engagement with thecap.

2. The fluid-deflecting cap remover as set forth in claim 1 and whereinthe deflector is comprised of flexible material adapted to accommodatethe device to otherwise obstructed positions.

3. The fluid-deflecting cap remover as set forth in claim 1 and whereinthe body comprises a tubular sleeve surroundingly spaced from andthereby insulated from the hearing which carries the operator.

4. The fluid-deflecting cap remover as set forth in claim 1 and whereinthe operator comprises a shaft with axially spaced stops for freelimited reciprocation within said bearing, whereby the deflector carriedby the body and the coupler carried by the operator are independentlymanipulatable.

1. A fluid-deflecting cap remover having an operating axis to bedisposed coincidental with the axis of the caps of radiators and thelike, and comprising, a manually positionable handle-shaped body, afluid deflector of curvilinear semicylindrical configuration fixedlycarried by and at the lower end of the body and having a top sectiontangentially normal to and overlying the operational axis of the bodyand extending laterally to one side of the body and having one sidesection depending below the body from the lateral extremity of the topsection to shield lateral projection of fluids dispersed along andlaterally from the axis of the cap, an operator extended through thebody and rotatably movable in a bearing therein and with a manuallyengageable handle fixed thereon above the deflector, and a cap couplerfixed to the operator beneath the deflector and manipulatable with theoperator to remove the cap by movement of the same rotatably about andalong said operating axis and into aligned turning engagement with thecap.
 2. The fluid-deflecting cap remover as set forth in claim 1 andwherein the deflector is comprised of flexible material adapted toaccommodate the device to otherwise obstructed positions.
 3. Thefluid-deflecting cap remover as set forth in claim 1 and wherein thebody comprises a tubular sleeve surroundingly spaced from and therebyinsulated from the bearing which carries the operator.
 4. Thefluid-deflecting cap remover as set forth in claim 1 and wherein theoperator comprises a shaft with axially spaced stops for free limitedreciprocation within said bearing, whereby the deflector carried by thebody and the coupler carried by the operator are independentlymanipulatable.